Affalterbach – Exciting
design, ultimate performance and groundbreaking efficiency: this is
what the new Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG is all about. The
top-of-the-range version of the four-door coupé is equipped with the
newly developed AMG V8 biturbo engine, featuring a peak output of up
to 410 kW (557 hp) and 800 Nm of torque, as well as the AMG
SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission. On top of this, the
vehicle's fuel consumption of 9.9 litres per 100 km (NEDC)
represents an improvement of 32 percent compared with the previous
model (all figures provisional).

The combination of an
AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension with electronically controlled
damping system and new front axle, newly developed electromechanical
AMG sports parameter steering, and also optional AMG ceramic
high-performance composite braking system, is synonymous with
maximum driving dynamics. Visually, the CLS 63 AMG impresses with
its athletic appearance and distinctive exterior and interior
design. The model's standard specification also includes innovative
LED High Performance headlamps.

"The new CLS 63 AMG
continues the success story of the previous models, the CLS 55 AMG
and CLS 63 AMG, which have delighted our customers all around the
world since 2004", according to Ola Källenius, Head of Mercedes-AMG
GmbH. "The CLS 63 AMG is a unique high-performance car – it sets new
standards in design, performance and efficiency."

Like the S 63 AMG and CL
63 AMG, drivers of the CLS 63 AMG will benefit from an
eight-cylinder powerhouse, designated internally as the M 157: the
new AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine boasts a combination of
innovative high-tech components which, in addition to spray-guided
direct petrol injection with piezo injectors, also include a full
aluminium crankcase, four-valve technology with camshaft adjustment,
air/water intercooling, generator management and stop/start system.
With a displacement of 5461 cc, the eight-cylinder engine develops a
peak output of 386 kW (525 hp) and torque of 700 Nm. In conjunction
with the AMG Performance package, these figures increase to 410 kW
(557 hp) and 800 Nm. Both variants of the CLS 63 AMG achieve
exceptional performance: acceleration from zero to 100 km/h takes
4.4 and 4.3 seconds respectively, and the top speed is 250 km/h
(electronically limited).

The major difference
between both power units is the increase in the maximum charge-air
pressure from 1.0 to 1.3 bar. In addition, the CLS 63 AMG with the
AMGPerformance package features a special high-quality carbon fibre
engine cover.

Quantum leap: fuel consumption
reduced by 32 percent

Despite a significant
performance increase compared with the previous model, which had a
naturally aspirated AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine producing 378 kW (514
hp) and 630 Nm of torque, the new CLS 63 AMG is some 4.6 litres, or
32 percent, more economical – which represents a quantum leap
forward. The NEDC fuel consumption of 9.9 litres per 100 km equates
to a CO2 output of 232 g/km. Thanks to these figures, the new V8
Coupé from AMG not only undercuts all of its direct competitors in
the small but refined four-door high-performance coupé segment, but
is also more fuel efficient than significantly lower-powered
vehicles. Both performance variants have identical fuel consumption
and CO2 figures.

A major contribution
towards achieving the unrivalled consumption figures has been made
by the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission, a component
used exclusively at Mercedes-AMG. Unlike a conventional automatic
transmission, the MCT transmission does away with the torque
converter; instead, it makes use of a compact, wet start-up clutch.
Also fitted as standard equipment is the stop/start function: it is
permanently active in the transmission's Controlled Efficiency ("C")
mode, and switches the eight-cylinder engine off when the car comes
to a stop. At the same time, "C" mode also means a "soft"
accelerator response set-up with convenient and early gearshifts;
moving off generally takes place in second gear. A green "ECO"
symbol in the AMG instrument cluster shows the driver that the
stop/start function is active.

The engine and
transmission come across as much more agile in the "S" (Sport), "S+"
(Sport plus) and "M" (Manual) modes; in addition, the stop/start
function is switched off. In "S" and "M" modes, the engine
management system partially suppresses the cylinders: interrupting
ignition and injection under full load leads to even faster
gearshifts than before. The highly emotional vocals are an appealing
side effect of this lightning-fast process. An automatic
double-declutching function and RACE START function are also
included as standard.

Autonomously developed AMG RIDE
CONTROL sports suspension

The suspension, steering
and braking system of the new CLS 63 AMG complement the high-tech
drive system perfectly. The AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension, with
steel suspension struts on the front axle and air suspension struts
on the rear axle, as well as automatic level control, is enhanced
further by an electronically controlled damping system; it
automatically adjusts the damping characteristics depending on the
driving conditions and reduces the roll angle of the body. The
result: lightning-fast adjustment between optimum driving comfort
and the best possible agility. The driver can switch between the
three suspension modes of "Comfort", "Sport" and "Sport plus" at the
press of a button.

The autonomously
developed front axle, with a track width which is 24 mm wider, is
the perfect match for the newly developed electromechanical AMG
sports parameter steering. It not only features variable power
assistance which adapts according to the suspension mode, but also
contributes towards reducing fuel consumption by up to 0.3 litre (7
g CO2) in the ECE fuel cycle, since the steering assistance system
only draws power when the vehicle is actually being steered. The
3-stage ESP® also has individual setting options – thereby providing
a definite advantage when it comes to combining driving pleasure
with absolute driving safety.

AMG ceramic high-performance
composite braking system available as an option

Perfect deceleration
even when driving extremely briskly is ensured by the AMG
high-performance braking system with 360 mm, internally ventilated
and perforated brake discs all-round. Particularly resistant,
motorsports-tested composite technology is used on the front axle.
The optional AMG ceramic high-performance composite braking system
with yet larger brake discs guarantees an even higher level of
braking performance as well as lower unsprung masses. Good contact
with the road, meanwhile, is provided courtesy of the titanium
grey-painted, high-sheen AMG light-alloy wheels featuring a new
triple-spoke design and fitted with 255/35 R 19 tyres on the front
and 285/30 R 19 tyres on the rear.

Intelligent lightweight
construction: making a significant contribution to efficiency

The highest level of
engineering is also reflected in the body of the new CLS 63 AMG: the
intelligent lightweight construction makes a significant
contribution towards addressing the classic conflicting goals of low
weight and high strength. Like the SLS AMG, the CLS 63 AMG is also
fitted with doors featuring a full aluminium construction. They
consist of deep-drawn aluminium panels with extruded sections, and
are around 24 kg lighter compared with conventional steel doors. In
addition, the bonnet, front wings, boot lid, parcel shelf, various
support sections as well as major parts of the chassis and engine
are all made from aluminium too.

Light-years ahead: LED High
Performance headlamps as standard

The CLS 63 AMG is the
first passenger car in the world to offer LED High Performance
headlamps, which combine the exciting colour elements of LED
technology – similar to those of daytime running lamps – with the
performance, functionality and energy efficiency of today's bi-xenon
generation. Fitted as standard, for the first time ever this new
light system provides the Intelligent Light System already proven in
Mercedes models fitted with bi-xenon headlamps in combination with
LED technology. The headlamps, with their 71 LED lamps in total,
underline the unmistakable appearance of the CLS 63 AMG. The light
specialists from Mercedes-Benz have for the first time been able to
use LED technology in the Adaptive Highbeam Assist, resulting in an
entirely new level of safety when driving at night.

In contrast to the first
vehicles equipped with LED headlamps, no compromises are now
necessary with respect to the functionality and performance of the
lighting technology. There are further arguments for the new,
LED-based lighting technology: the average operating life of an LED
is around 10,000 hours, around five times longer than that of a
xenon light; moreover, LED headlamps most closely approximate the
colour temperature of daylight. This means that LED light is in
keeping with normal human perception patterns. Studies have shown
that the closer the colour of artificial light comes to daylight,
the less strain there is on the eyes. With a colour temperature of
5500 kelvin, LED light is closer to daylight (6500 K) than xenon
light (4200 K). The LED daytime driving lights specific to AMG are
also presented in two characteristic light strips integrated into
the AMG front apron.

Exterior design inspired by the
SLS AMG

When viewed from the
front, the new CLS 63 AMG evokes associations with the SLS AMG – the
radiator grille in particular, with its large Mercedes star and
wing-shaped horizontal slats, appears to have been inspired by the
gullwing. The top-of-the-range AMG model distinguishes itself from
the other CLS variants with its distinctive bonnet, wider mudguards
with "V8 BITURBO" logo and a specific AMG front apron with black
painted cross member. Eye-catching features at the rear include the
diffuser insert, the AMG spoiler lip on the boot lid, the AMG sports
exhaust system with dual twin chrome tailpipes, and - as also
featured on the SLS AMG - integrated rear foglamp. The AMG
bodystyling perfectly matches the typical CLS outline, which is
essentially characterised by the elegantly long proportions, the
lateral dropping line and the muscular sports car-like shoulder line
above the rear axle.

Exclusive atmosphere in the
interior

This philosophy also
continues through consistently into the interior. All of the AMG-specific
design and appointment features ideally supplement the redesigned
CLS interior. The wrap-around effect in the cockpit, with its high
line which sweeps from the driver's door over the instrument panel
support and across to the front passenger door, is generously
flanked by high-quality trim elements – available in black piano
lacquer as standard in the top-of-the-range AMG model. Quality
materials and workmanship meet the very highest of standards and
help to guarantee a particularly exclusive atmosphere.

The extensive range of
standard appointments also includes AMG sports seats in nappa
leather, a new three-spoke AMG Performance steering wheel with
aluminium shift paddles and flattened top and bottom sections, and
the AMG DRIVE UNIT with compact E-SELECT selector lever.

New driving assistance systems:
greater safety

More than a dozen
driving assistance systems on the new CLS help to prevent traffic
accidents and reduce the severity of an accident. The Active Blind
Spot Assist and the Active Lane Keeping Assist are new.

Active Blind Spot Assist
warns the driver if it detects - with the assistance of short-range
radar sensors - that there is a danger of collision if the vehicle
is about to change lanes. Should the driver ignore the warnings and
come dangerously close to the vehicle in the next lane, Active Blind
Spot Assist will intervene. By applying braking force to the wheels
on the opposite side of the vehicle via the Electronic Stability
Program ESP®, a yaw movement is created which counteracts the
collision course.

Active Lane Keeping
Assist is now also linked to the ESP® for the first time. This
system kicks into action if the driver inadvertently drifts over a
solid line to the right or left of a lane. In this case, Active Lane
Keeping Assist brakes the opposite wheels and thereby prevents the
vehicle from crossing the line. A display on the instrument cluster
warns the driver at the same time. If broken lane markings are
crossed, the system controls an electric pulse generator in the
steering wheel which generates vibrations for a short time – a
discreet but highly effective cue to countersteer immediately.
Before the braking system intervenes, the steering wheel always
vibrates to provide a warning.

AMG Performance package with
enhanced performance ex works

One of the highlights of
the attractive optional extras is the AMG Performance package which
is available for the CLS 63 AMG. It comprises:

Also available is the
special limited "Edition 1" version of the CLS 63 AMG. Finished in
the new manganite grey SHAPE matt paint, the "Edition 1" features a
host of specially designed high-quality interior details. On opening
the doors, the first items to catch the eye are the AMG sports
seats: the "corteccia pearl" designo leather is characterised by a
shimmering metallic surface finish.
The roof lining, A, B and C-pillars, as well as the sunblinds, are
finished in anthracite Alcantara®, while carbon fibre/black piano
lacquer AMG trim elements help to give the interior a functional
atmosphere. Also making a perfect match for the designo leather
seats are the designo floormats in black velour, featuring designo
badge and designo leather insert in "corteccia pearl".
The market launch of the new CLS 63 AMG will commence in March 2011.